Tag Archives: thankful

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Happy New Year 2018

Looking back, planning ahead, maintaining contentment

As we move into the new year of 2018 let us remember to:

Look Back with Thanksgiving

James 1:17 (ESV): Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

We can look back at 2017 with thanksgiving for the good times and blessings we have enjoyed. We can and should also be thankful for provision during the hard times. Even if it was a difficult year for you, there is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. You had friendships, you were able to provide for your family and maybe even have some unanswered prayers to be thankful for. Make a list of things you were thankful for last year. Revisit it when needed.

Focus on the Future

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

We should look back in thanksgiving but not spend precious time on regret or guilt. No matter your past or the mistakes you made last year (we all made mistakes!) God is doing a NEW thing! He can make a way even when it seems impossible. The even better news? You don’t just get January 1st for a new start! His mercies and provision are new every morning, even every hour when needed. Isn’t that awesome news?

Plan Ahead for the Coming Year

Luke 14:28-29 (ESV): For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

Call it resolutions, goals, aspirations, visioning; God doesn’t expect us to go through life willy-nilly with no intentionality. Make some plans. Boldly go through the doors that open and wisely turn away from the doors that are closed. It’s difficult to steer a vehicle that’s not moving.

Psalm 20:4 (NIV): May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Prayerfully make those plans. God want us to succeed in endeavors that honor Him; both for His glory and for our pleasure. He is looking to give good gifts to His children. (Matt 7:11) Partner with Him in that!

Be Content in All Circumstances

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV): I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Above all, be content with last year and whatever this new year will bring. When focusing too much on self or if you find yourself concentrating on your disappointments, find someone who needs help and serve them. When blessed and in a time of plenty, make sure you allow your cup to spill over to others. Build a bigger table, not a higher fence.

Great and Gracious Father, Thank You for the many blessings of 2017. Thank You, maybe even more so, for sustaining us during the difficult times of last year. We ask that You would guide us in our endeavors in 2018. Close the doors You would not have us go through and give us the courage to walk through the doors You have opened before us. Gently remind us to plan and wait for You when we are tempted to forge ahead and make our own way. Above all, please help us to serve others and think of their needs above ourselves. Help us to be content no matter what this year brings and please forgive us when we are selfish, forgetful, anxious or fearful. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 03.19.2017

2 Corinthians 9:8

Second Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): and God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Do you ever get frustrated that you don’t have everything you want? Does someone have a nicer office or building than you? Newer furniture in their home? Newer electronics? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing your blessings to others. It’s easy to confuse what we NEED with what we want and think we deserve.

My guess is that most of us (I understand not necessarily all) have never truly gone hungry or been without a roof of some sort over our head. When we look at the big picture, most of us can say we are “abundantly blessed.” Why are we given what we need – all things at all times? Not so we can boast or feel successful or show off our stuff; it’s so we will abound in every good work. God equips us with what we need, when we need it, so we can do His good work. Appreciate what you have and never forget from Whom it comes and why it is given.

Generous Father, Thank you for supplying our every need. Help us to use our resources to do Your good work. Please forgive us when we are greedy and selfish. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 03.05.2017

Colossians 4:5-6

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT): Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Your attitude about your job is often the window outsiders look through to see your heart and the truth about your faith.” Jamie Allen, Central Christian Church Mt. Vernon, IL from “Clock In #2” 09/11/2016

We all have bad days at work. Most of us work alongside people at varying stages of their faith. Believe it or not, these two things make a great combination. Your attitude during a rough time can be one of your greatest witnesses. Even the most cynical person is attracted to someone who is gracious and even-tempered when they could be upset and hot-headed.

Have to stay late to see a patient? Give that patient the best care you can and do it with a smile!
Boss putting unreasonable demands on you? Do your best work and try to give extra.
Have to buy your own classroom supplies because the budget stinks? Be grateful you have everything you need and more.

Life isn’t fair. Your attitude despite that can be the window to your faith.

Gracious Father, thank you for always meeting our needs. Help us to always represent You by having a good attitude. Please forgive us when we are self-centered and selfish. Amen.

To watch Jamie’s “Clock In” series in its entirety please go to www.thenewcentral.com

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Gratefulgiving

November…the month where people who have complained on social media for the last 10 months suddenly become thankful. I’m sure you’ve seen the posts from friends and family listing things they are thankful for. You’ve no doubt also seen the sarcastic memes and comments from others admonishing them for being hypocrites. It’s not hypocritical to choose to express thankfulness. In fact, it’s when we don’t FEEL thankful that it’s most important to acknowledge that there is always, always something to be thankful for.

When we are thankful we are remembering the blessings in our life and acknowledging things that have turned out the way we hoped they would. Being thankful is a great first step, but it’s through gratefulness that we personally grow and change lives. Gratefulness is expressing thankfulness. Gratefulness grows you as a person and blesses others. Be intentional to show appreciation to others in your life. Say “thank you” to your server, mail carrier, co-workers, boss, clients, pharmacist, anyone who works to make your life better or helps you to accomplish what you need to in every day life. Even the simplest expression of appreciation can turn a day around both for the recipient and the giver.

We are all hypocrites. Every single one of us. We deny our words with our actions. Our emotions are all over the place. We’re singing praises one day and complaining the next. When you choose to express thanksgiving regardless of your previous attitude you chisel away at your selfish nature. But, as with so many things, it’s the action accompanying the feelings that makes the difference in your life and in others.

In this season of thanksgiving remember the words of John F. Kennedy “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”  If you need a place to start, make a list of what you are thankful for and consider how you can express gratefulness for those things. How can you turn your thanksgiving into a blessing?